The Most Pathetic Teams of the Last 10 Years

Judging a team's success takes a decade's worth of results. One disastrous season can't possibly define a club, but 10 years of mediocrity certainly can.

Here we'll trace the worst teams of the past decade, a fitting recap during a millennium that brought us slaughtered movie sequels and brain-dead pop music.

Due to inept draft decisions, short-sighted trades or pure unluckiness, these teams endured 10 years of legendary failure. Let's pay homage to their awful showings, and review the most pathetic teams of the past decade.

*Records are based off the past 10 seasons of actual play (locked out seasons are not included, except for the shortened 2011 NBA season).

19. Sacramento Kings, NBA

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Past Decade: 367-437

Like dryer without Cling Free, the NBA's Kings have been making and breaking alliances since Chris Webber's trade departure in 2004. Free agents and draft picks have come and gone, with success still far beyond the horizon.

Troubled center DeMarcus Cousins may be the answer, as long as sweet-shooting guard Jimmer Fredette remains the cheerleader.

18. Miami Dolphins, NFL

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Past Decade: 70-90

Since Dan Marino retired in 1999, the Dolphins have been searching for that proper arm to carry the load. Defensive stalwarts Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor bred brilliance but could never carry Miami over the postseason hump.

17. Atlanta Hawks, NBA

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Past Decade: 353-451

After the Bucks chose Aussie center Andrew Bogut in 2005, the Hawks had a decision to make. Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Marvin Williams? Of course, Atlanta chose the latter, a raw freshman from UNC, and has been regretting it ever since.

While they enjoyed several seasons of success with guard Joe Johnson, the Hawks never even made a dent in the NBA postseason.

12. Toronto Raptors, NBA

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Past Decade: 323-481

The Raptors have been searching for success since high-flying cousins Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady left in the early 2000s. Chris Bosh never could carry the club, and 2006 first-overall choice Andrea Bargnani is proving he can't, either.

11. Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Past Decade: 314-402

High first-round failures like goalie Pascal Leclaire have defined an era of anonymity for the Blue Jackets. Of course, it always takes time for expansion franchises to find success. But for the 2000-born Jackets, it's taken a bit longer than expected.

Rick Nash was their knight in shining armor until he was traded to the Big Apple.

9. Buffalo Bills, NFL

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Past Decade: 65-95

While tailback talents like Willis McGahee, Marshawn Lynch and now C.J. Spiller have come through the Buffalo ranks, the team's inability to find a consistent signal caller has hampered any kind of development.

Captain checkdown Trent Edwards and ineffective former first-round pick J.P. Losman couldn't change the luck of the Bills, and it seems like Amish Rifle Ryan Fitzpatrick is only a slight improvement.

8. Washington Wizards, NBA

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Past Decade: 321-483

High school phenom Kwame Brown sparked a decade's worth of futility when he was drafted first overall in '01, and he soon crumbled to pieces under the professional spotlight. The Wizards have been searching for an answer ever since.

6. Cleveland Browns, NFL

Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, plenty else. It's been a rough going for the 21st century Browns, who have been the epitome of gridiron failure since the start of the 21st century.

Offensive-line strengthening through draft picks Joe Thomas and Alex Mack was a good start, but 29-year-old rookie Brandon Weeden may not be the answer at signal caller. Trent Richardson at tailback, however, is.

5. New York Knicks, NBA

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Past Decade: 327-477

The legendary name Isiah Thomas continues to haunt Knickerbocker fans, as the former point guard general-managed and coached an era of horrific trades, franchise-destroying free-agent signings and postseason failure. Scott Layden is a close second.

4. Kansas City Royals, MLB

Kyle Rivas/Getty Images

Past Decade: 678-942

Losing 100 games for the first time in franchise history in 2002 set a tone for the 21st century Royals that is now finally fading.

Brief periods of success were followed by youth movements and salary dumps, while prospects have come and gone without promise. Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Billy Butler, however, seem to be setting a new standard for blue-and-white baseball.